Window washing apparatus



Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO 2,693,609

WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS Filed on. 24. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4% "iiillllllllli Manuel Briceno INVENTOR.

NOV. 9, 1954 BRlCENQ 2,693,609

WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 24, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.3.Fig. ll. g 3o '5 25 RT za t l l Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO wmoow WASHINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 w R A m I w m m I N I m m1 a x B M NU. p m n 9% a M w 2 I I! a w 4 2 "W6 m 4 flu 4 w 7 w w 7 w 00 7 8 2 IO h A M Nov. 9, 1954 M. BRICENO wmnow WASHING APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 24, 1949 Manuel Briceno INVENTOR. m:-

United States Patent Ofiiee 2,693,609 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 WINDOWWASHING APPARATUS Manuel Briceno, New York, N. Y.

Application October 24, 1949, Serial No. 123,146

6 Claims. (Cl. 15103) This invention appertains to a window or wallwashing apparatus and has for its primary object to automatically washand rinse window panes and similar structures.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a windowcleaning apparatus that can be locked on a window frame and mechanicallypositioned in engagement of the exterior or interior of the window andautomatically operated to wash and rinse the window.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a circulatingsystem for the window cleaning device, the circulating systemfunctioning to spray wash and rinse water on the pane and to collect thewater from the window pane, thus obviating any possibility of the watercoming in contact with the frame or surrounding structure.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a compactand inexpensive device, that is portable in nature and can be easilyattached to and detached from window frames for cleaning the exteriorand interior of the window panes.

And yet a further important object of this invention is to provide anadjustable cleaning device, that is mechanically operated andautomatically controlled and which can be adjusted for use with varioustypes of windows, regardless of the dimension thereof.

These and ancillary objects and structural features of merit areattained by this invention, a preferred embodiment of which is set forthin the following decription and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of a windowwashing apparatus, constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 22 ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 ofFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 55 ofFigure 3;

Figure 6 is a top plan view;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed view of the means ptrlovided forjournaling the upper reach of the endless 0 am;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower endof the vertical guide post or member;

Figure 11 is a detailed view of the fixed contact members on the postfor the relay and the movable contact member carried by the holderslidably mounted on the post or members; and,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on line 12--12of Figure 5.

This invention is especially designed and adapted for use inautomatically washing large windows, such as found in coliseums,auditoriums or the like. However, the same is adjustable in nature andcan be advantageously employed with any type of window, regardless ofthe size or structure thereof.

Generally speaking, the window washing device consists of a base, whichis mounted on the window sill or frame and which is provided with meansfor clamping or locking the same thereon in a fixed position. Alongitudinally adjustable plate is superimposed on the base and isdisposed parallel therewith, means being provided for moving the plateon the base to various positions relative thereto. Another plate ismounted on the first plate, the second plate being adjustabletransversely of the base and provided with means for effecting suchadjustment. A third plate is superimposed on the second plate and isrotatably mounted thereon, means being provided for rotating the thirdplate on the second plate. All of the plates form a connecting means,which is adjustable in every direction horizontally on the base andsupport a vertical post, which is pivoted at its lower end thereon, sothat it is vertically swingable on the base. In effect, universalconnecting means is provided between the post and the base, whereby thepost may be moved. An endless rotary chain is journaled in the post andis driven by prime mover mounted on a platform, which is secured on thesupport plate or rotatable plate. A squeegee or brush holder is slidablymounted on the post and is carried by the chain, so that rotation of thechain reciprocates the holder vertically on the post. Pumping means ismounted on the platform and driven by the motor, the pumping meanssupplying wash and rinse water to the squeegee holder and directing thesame onto the window pane. A trough is horizontally disposed below theholder and is connected by conduits to the pumping means, so that thetrough collects all of the water sprayed onto and rubbed over the windowpane and the water is returned to a disposal unit by the pumping means.

The holder is automatically reciprocated on the post, the motor beingreversible and switch means being provided and actuated by the extremeupper and lower movements of the holder for operating a relay to reversethe cycle of operation of the motor.

The structure of the apparatus or machine will now be described indetail with reference to the drawings by numerals.

The base structure 10 includes a pair of horizontal, parallel side bars12 and 14, which are joined at their outer ends by end bars 16 and 18.The side bars 12, 14 terminate at their opposite ends in downturned legs20 and 22 and are formed at their lower edges with transversely alignednotches 24 for receiving the bottom stop, not shown, of the window frame21. Clamping means 26 is adjustably carried by the end bar 18 and isprovided to clamp the base structure on the window frame, with the sidebars 12, 14 seated on the sill 23 transversely thereof, the clampingmeans including a plate 28 from which rearwardly projects guide rods 30.The guide rods 30 are slidably disposed through open ings formed in theend bar 18 and a screw 32 is rotatably journaled in a collar 34 formedon the plate, the screw being disposed through the end bar and beingprovided at its outer end with an operating wheel 36.

Guide bars 38 and 40 are welded or otherwise secured to the outside ofthe side bars 12 and 14 and are formed with longitudinally extendinggrooves 42 to support a plate 44. The plate 44 is formed at each of itsopposite longitudinal marginal edges with a depending flange 46terminating in lateral tongues 48. The tongues 48 are slidably disposedin the grooves 42 and adapted to guide the plate 44 for movementlongitudinally of the frame 10 and transversely of the window frame 21,the plate moving parallel with the side bars 12, 14 transversely of thewindow frame 21. Actuating means is provided for moving the plate 44 andpreferably includes an elongated externally threaded rod 50, which isrotatably journaled in a bearing, 62, carried by the side bar 14 and isprovided with a knurled actuating knob 54. The rod is threaded through acollar 56, on one side flange of the plate, so that rotation of the rod,in the collar 56 moves the unitary collar 56 and plate 44 longitudinallyof the base.

A rectangular open frame 58 is positioned transversely on the plate 44and is formed with parallel side bars 60 and 62. joined by end bars 63.The plate 44 is provided on its upper face with tracks 64 slidablyfitting in grooves 66 formed in the outer side edges of the bars 60 and62, as seen in Figure 4 whereby said frame 58 is guided for slidingmovement on the plate 44 transversely of the frame 10 and parallel withthe window frame 21. A rack bar 68 is formed on the underside of theside bar 62 and is operatively engaged by a pinion 70 fast on a -rotaryrod 72 to slide the frame 58. The rod 72 is disposed parallel with andbetween the side bars 12, 14 of the base, the rod being journaled andendwise slideable in the end wall bar 16, and terminating in a knurledac tuating Wheel 74. The rod 72 is journaled intermediate its ends in ahanger bearing 71 on the plate 44, as shown in Figure 4. Pins 73 in saidrod on opposite sides of the bearing 71 provide for sliding of said rodwith said plate 44.

A plate 76 is mounted in the frame 58, the 1nner edges of the bars 60and 62 being grooved as at 78 to slidably receive the laterallyextending tongues 86 on the side edges of the plate and whereby saidplate 76 1s shdable longitudinally of the frame 58. The plate forms abase for a housing 82 suitably fixed thereon, the housing havingcylindrical side Walls 34 formed with an annular flange 86, which isseated on the upper edges of the bars 60 and 62, as seen in Figure 4. Anarm 88 extends outwardly from the side walls 84, the arm being welded orotherwise suitably secured thereto and supporting a rod 90 on which isfixed a pinion 92. The pinion 92 is enmeshed with a rack bar 94 formedon the upper face of the frame 58, at the inner edge of the side bar 60.

Complementary apertured ears 96 project laterally from the side walls 84of the housing and a rod 981s rotatably journaled therein, the rod beingprovided with a knurled knob 180. A worm gear 182 is formed on therod,between the ears 96 and projects into the housing through a side opening104 of the side walls 84. A gear 106 is horizontally disposed in thehousing and is rotatably journaled therein by means of a verticallydisposed bolt 108, which has its lower end rotatably seated in a bearing118 formed on the bottom of the housing 82. The bolt 108 extends throughan L-shaped plate 112 and a plate 113 superimposed on the end of theL-shaped plate 112 and fixed thereto by the bolt 108 and bolts 109. Thegear 106 is rigidly secured to said end of the L- shaped plate by meansof vertically disposed stay bolts 114 positioned through the gear andextending into the plate or platform.

Obviously, rotation of the shaft 98 will produce, through the worm 102,rotation of the gear 106. It will be seen that the gear being fixed tothe L-shaped plate 112, the plates 112, 113 will be turned by rotationof the gear.

An upstanding wall 114 is formed on one side edge of the plate 113, asseen in Figure 2, with a housing 116 being secured on the opposing edge,parallel to the side Wall and perpendicular to the plate 112. A rod 118,having actuation knob 120 extends into the housing 116 and is formed atits inner ends with a worm 121. the worm'being intermeshed with avertically disposed gear 122 fixed on a horizontally disposed shaft 124.The shaft is formed with a reduced end 126 rotatably journaled to oneside wall of the housing and an opposing enlarged end 128 rotatablyextending through the opposing side wall of the housing and terminatingin a noncircular or square end 138. A socket member 132 is pivotallypositioned between the housing 116 and the side wall 114, the sockethaving laterally extending lugs 134 rotatably received in an opening 136in the side wall 114 and having a recess 138 in its opposing end toreceive the end 130 of the shaft 124. The lug 134 rotates in the sidewall 114, as the socket 132 is moved about the horizontal axis of thelug 134 by rotation of the gear 122' and subsequent rotation of theshaft 124, produced by manual movement of the rod 118.

A shaft 140 is rotatably journaled in the socket member, the shafthaving a reduced end 142 mounted for rotation in a bearing in the innersurface of one of the side walls of the socket member 132 and opposingreduced end 144 extending through a center opening in the lug 134 andconnected by means of clutch 146 to a driven shaft 148 rotatablviournaled in a housing 150 bolted on the side wall 114. By means of agear reduction drive 152, the shaft 148 is rotated to impart rotation toe shaft 140, the gear being driven by an electric motor 154.

An elongated guide post and supporting member 156 is adapted to bereceived within the socket member 132 and preferably consists of arectangular post, having recesses 164 in the lower ends of its sidewalls 162 which are joined by end walls 166 and 168. The lower ends ofthe connecting end walls are seated in the socket member, straddling theshaft by means of the recesses 164 in the side walls. A gear 170 isfixed on a transversely disposed rotating shaft 172 mounted between theside walls 162 of the post, the gear being driven by a gear 174 fixed onthe shaft 148. A sprocket wheel 176 is secured on the shaft 172 anddrives the lower reach of the rotary chain 178, the chain beingrotatably disposed in the post and having its upper reach mounted on anidler sprocket 180. A inverted U-shaped supporting member 182 supportsthe idler wheel shaft and is suspended from the closure cap 184 on theupper end of the post by means of a screw 186 rotatably disposed in acollar 188 on the web of the member 182 and extending through the cap184. Thus, the chain can be tightened ov rotating the screw 186 to raisethe support 182 in the post.

An elongated longitudinally extending slot 198 is formed in the wall 168of the post and a transverse stop 192 is formed at'the lower endthereof. A guide block 194 is slidably disposed in the slot and issecured by fasteners 196 to one of the links of the chain. A plate 198is slidably disposed on the exterior of the Wall 168 and is connected tothe guide block, the plate being formed with a projecting arm 260forming a part of the means 282 for holding a squeegee or brush. The arm2% terminates at its outer end in laterally projecting flanges 204.

A complementary plate 206 is bolted to the flanges 204 to support avertical tubular member 2418. A collar 210 is secured on the lower endof the tubular member by a set screw 212 and is formed with a projectingholder 214, having a groove 216 therein to support a squeegee or brush218. A rod 220 is telescopically arranged at the upper end of thetubular member 208 and is locked therein by a transverse set screw 222,the rod having a collar 224, similar to the collar 218, securedconcentric thereon. A holder 226 is formed integral with the collar andsupports a squeegee 228. The holder is formed with a transverse passage230 and a nozzle 232 is formed at its outer face in communication withthe passage and having a connection 234 formed at its rear face inconnection with the passage.

A flexible tube or conduit 236 is secured to the connector 234andextends from a pump unit 237, the pump being one of a pair of twinpumps 238 and 240, which are mounted on the L-shaped platform 112,adjacent to the electric motor 154. A driven shaft 242 is connected tothe pumps and is driven by the motor by means of a spur gear 244 securedthereon and connected with a gear 246 on the shaft of the motor.

An inlet tube or conduit 248 extends from a water container 250 to thepump forcing the water from the tank to the spray nozzle 232 and directsthe water through the spray nozzle onto the window pane. In order toobviate splattering of Water thereon, a trough 252 is positionedtransversely below the. squeegees or brushes and is mounted in the lowerend of the Window sash 251 by means of laterally extending studs 254anchored in the side. An outlet 256 provided at one end of the troughhas a tube 258 secured on'the outlet and connected to the pump 240. Anoutlet tube 260 extends from the pump 240 to a disposal tank 262.

In use, the base structure 10 is positioned on the window sill 23 of awindow frame 21 to be washed, the legs 20 being disposed outside thewindow, with the recess 24 in the side bars positioned on the windowstop. The clamping means 26 is then actuated to attach the same to thesill structure at the inside of the window frame 21, so that the basestructure 10 is locked on the Window sill. When the base structure 10 isattached as described, the remaining parts of the machine are positionedto operate the Squeegees 218, 228 outside the window against the glasssash of the window 251 as shown in Figure 1.

By operation of the rod 50, the plate 44 is movable longitudinally ofthe base structure 1!) to move all parts above said plate longitudinallyof said structure 10 whereby the squeegees 218, 228 may be moved intoengagement with the glass of the sash 251 for reciprocation vertically,by means presently described, in engagement with the glass while saidSqueegees exert uniform pressure, relatively, against the glass. Byoperation of the rod 72, the frame 58 with the plate 76 and parts abovesaid plate may be moved transversely of the plate 44 and base structure10- to correspondingly move all parts across the glass from side to sidethereof. The rod 90 may be operated to cause, by means of the pinion 92meshing with the rack 94, movement of the housing 82 and parts above thesame longitudinally and independently of the frame 58 for movement ofthe squeegees 218, 228 across the glass independently of movement ofsaid frame 58, whereby to extend the range ofmovement of said squeegeesacross the glass, as occasion may require. By operating the shaft 98,the gear 106 may be rotated to impart horizontal rotation about avertical axis to the parts above the housing 82' to impart horizontal,rotational swinging movement to the squeegees 218, 228 for varying thepressure exerted thereby against the glass throughout the length of thesqueegees according to cleaning requirements. Operation of the rod 118-will cause swinging of the socket member 132 and the guide post andsupporting member 158 about the axis of the shafts 124, 140 to swing thesocket and post toward and from the glass and correspondingly swing thesqueegees 218, 228 for engaging the squeegees with the glass anddisengaging the same from the glass in any position of the plate 44,frame 58 and housing 82 and whereby to facilitate cleaning operation ofthe squeegees by varying the pressure exerted thereby, also to renderthe squeegees idle relative to the glass without moving the wholestructure above the base structure 10.

Means is provided for automatically reciprocating the holder for thesqueegees vertically, to automatically move the squeegees 218, 228vertically in contact with the window glass. Thus, the motor 154 beingreversible, means is provided and is preferably actuated by the guideblock 194 for reversing the cycles of operation of the motor. Forillustration of the reversing means, attention is directed to Figures 1,5, ll, 9, of the drawings, wherein the automatic operation of the holderis illustrated.

An arm 286 projects rearwardly from the block 194 and a bell crank 288is pivoted on the terminal thereof, the bell crank being selectivelyengageable with the conductors 264, as seen in Figure 11, to control thereversibility of the motor. Three coplanar laterally spaced conductorrods 263, 264, 265 are mounted vertically on the side wall 162, the rodsbeing attached at their lower ends to a connector block 262 havingsockets 268 therein opposite said rods, a conventional plug in plate 270with plugs 272 thereon receivable in the sockets 268 connects theconductor wires 273, 275, 277 to the conductor rods 263, 264, 265, saidwires being covered by a sheath 276 and forming part of circuits shownin Figure 9. A manual switch 280 on the motor 154 is suitably interposedbetween circuit feeder and return lines 290, 292, for operation to startand stop motor 154.

The conductor wire 273 leads to one side of a relay 294, the other sideof which is connected to the feeder line 290 by a wire 296. Theconductor 275 is connected to the return line 292. The conductor wire277 is connected to one side of a second relay 298, the other side ofwhich is connected by a wire 300 to the feeder line 290.

In the upward limit of movement of the block 194, bellcrank 288 engagesan upper insulation stop 302 on the rod 263 and is swung to bridge rods264, 265 as shown in full lines in Figures 11 and 9 and thereby closescircuit to relay 294. In the downward limit of movement of block 194,bellcrank 288 engages a second insulation stop 304 on rod 263 and isswung to bridge rods 263, 264, as shown in dotted lines in Figure ll,and thereby closes circuit to the second relay 298. The bellcrank 288 isheld in bridging engagement with the rods by frictional engagementtherewith.

When circuit to relay 294 is closed. said relay closes a spring loadeddouble pole switch 306 to close a shunt circuit for reversing thecommutator of the motor 154 for operation of the motor in one direction.This shunt circuit includes wires 308, 310, 312. 314, 316. When circuitis closed to the second relay 298, said relay 298 closes a second springloaded double pole switch 31.8 to close a second shunt circuit to themotor armature to reverse the motor 154 for operation thereof in theopposite direction. This second shunt circuit includes wires 320, 314,316, 322. The motor field 324 is connected by wires 326, 328 at oppositesides thereof to the feeder and return lines 290, 292.

The switch 280 is suitably connected in the circuit by 6 wires, notshown; in asheath 330leading to azjunction box 278 on the plate 112containing the relays 294, 298 and to which the sheath 276 extends, andfrom which a sheath 332 with the feeder and return lines 290, 292therein extends for connectionof said lines 290, 292 to a suitablesource of electric energy, not shown.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A window washing apparatus comprising a base adapted to be mounted ona window frame, a hollow vertical guide member, universal connectingmeans mounting the lower end of the guide member on the base, actuatingmeans for said connecting means and a vertically reciprocable squeegeeholder mounted on the guide member, a drive for said holder including areversible motor mounted on the connecting means, andswitch means forcontrolling the motor including conductors extending longitudinally insaid member, and a lever in said member actuated by the holder forengaging said conductors' 2. A window glass washing machine comprisingan elongated base structure attachable to the sill structure of thewindow to extend transversely thereof, an upright post above said framestructure, a squeegee, means mounting said squeegee on said post forvertical movement relative thereto in wiping engagement with the glass,supporting means for the post at the lower end thereof pivotallymounting the post for swinging about a horizontal axis toward and fromthe window glass to correspondingly swing said squeegee and position thesame relative to the glass, means pivotally mounting said supportingmeans for rotation about a vertical axis lying in a common verticalplane with said horizontal axis to correspondingly rotate said post andsqueegee and further position the squeegee relative to the glass, meansslidably mounting said last named means on said base structure formovement longitudinally and transversely thereof to position the postand squeegee relative to the glass independently of swinging androtation of said post and squeegee, manipulative means for swinging saidsupporting means, and manipulative means for rotating the meanspivotally mounting said supporting means.

3. A window glass washing machine comprising an elongated base structureattachable to the sill structure of the Window to extend transverselythereof, an upright post above said base structure, a squeegee, meansmounting said squeegee to said post for vertical movement relativethereto in wiping engagement with the glass, supporting means for thepost at the lower end thereof pivotally mounting the post for swingingabout a horizontal axis toward and from the glass to correspondinglyswing said squeegee and position the same relative to the glass, meanspivotally mounting said supporting means for rotation about a verticalaxis lying in a common vertical plane with said horizontal axis tocorrespondingly rotate said post and squeegee and further position thesqueegee relative to the glass, and means slidably mounting said lastnamed means on said base structure for movement longitudinally andtransversely of the same to position the post and squeegee relative tothe glass independently of swinging and rotation of said post andsqueegee.

4. A window glass washing machine according to claim 3 wherein said lastnamed means comprises a plate slidably mounted on said base structureand movable longitudinally thereof, a frame slidably mounted on saidplate for movement transversely of said base structure, and a platecarrying the means pivotally mounting said supporting means and mountedin said frame for movement therewith and sliding movement independentlythereof transversely of said base structure.

5. A window glass washing machine comprising an elongated base structureattachable to the sill structure of the window to extend transverselythereof, an upright post above said frame structure, a squeegee, meansmounting said squeegee on said post for vertical movement relativethereto in wiping engagement with the glass, supporting means for thepost at the lower end thereof including a socket in which said post isfixed, means pivotally mounting said socket for swinging about ahorizontal axis toward and from the glass to correspondingly swing saidpost and squeegee and position the squeegee relative to the glasscomprising a pair of aligned journalled shafts one being fast to saidsocket and the other rotatable therein, means pivotally mounting saidfirst named means on said base structure for rotation about a verticalaxis to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegee and position thesqueegee relative to the glass, manipulating means for oscillating saidone shaft to swing the socket and rotating with said first named means,means for rotating the first named means, means to move said squeegeevertically operated by the other shaft, and power means for rotatingsaid other shaft.

6. A window glass cleaning machine comprising an elongated basestructure attachable to the sill structure of the window transverselythereof, an upright post above said base structure, a squeegee, meansmounting said squeegee to said post for vertical movement relativethereto in wiping engagement With the glass, supporting means for thepost at the lower end thereof including a journalled shaft on which saidlower end is rockably seated, means pivotally mounting said supportingmeans for rotation about a vertical axis lying in a common verticalplane with said shaft to correspondingly rotate said post and squeegeeand position the squeegee relative to the glass, means to rotate saidsupporting means, vertically spaced means slidably mounting saidsupporting means on said base structure for movement longitudinally andtransversely thereof in one and the same hori- 8 zontal plane toposition said squeegee relative to the glass, means to move saidsqueegee vertically by rotation of said shaft, and power means forrotating the shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,072,832 Daines Sept. 9, 1913 1,286,076 Olsiewsky Nov. 26,1918 1,474,840 Martin Nov. 20, 1923 1,689,617 Bornstein Oct. 30, 19281,759,015 McIntosh May 20, 1930 2,435,862 Wilson Feb. 10, 1948 2,517,474Fouse Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,466 DenmarkJune 30, 1913

